49-Storey Tower Proposed for the Distillery District

Following the first addition of residential density in the late 1990s and the subsequent early-2000s revitalization of Toronto's Distillery District, the National Historic Site has been populated with three high-rise residential developments. There's a fourth tower proposed, currently under appeal pending a hearing at the Ontario Municipal Board, while the latest proposal in the area calls for zoning amendments to allow the construction of a 49-storey tower at 31 Parliament Street. The site is the third property south of the existing Green P surface parking lot which serves the Distillery District.

Rendering of 31 Parliament Street, image retrieved via submission to City of Toronto

The proposal has been submitted on behalf of numbered corporation 1150782 Ontario Inc. Details about the project have just been released on the City of Toronto Planning Department's website, giving us our first glimpse of the new proposal.

Designed by Miami-based firm Arquitectonica in partnership with architects of record Kirkor, the 167.05-metre high development consists of a terraced podium structure supporting a narrow rectilinear tower above. The massing features step backs and terraces, while the exterior envelope of the podium levels references the massing with a reverse-ziggurat volume of precast concrete panels with pre-finished aluminum reveals, and a similar theme for the canopy sheltering a ground level retail unit, residential entrance, and a vehicular access.

Rendering of 31 Parliament Street, image retrieved via submission to City of Toronto

At and above the 44th level of the tower, the building reveals its main design expression, carrying on the ziggurat theme introduced on the podium levels. Three sections of three levels feature west side step backs of 4.3 metres, while the east side features 4.3 metre cantilevers to create a stepping effect for the tower's uppermost levels. The 50th level mechanical penthouse would be fully contained within the uppermost of the three final volumes.

West and south elevations of 31 Parliament Street, image retrieved via submission to City of Toronto

The podium levels would contribute to street life with the addition of 368 m2 (3,968 ft2) of commercial space and 35 m2 (382 ft2) of ground floor commercial space. 1,378 m2 of indoor, and 991 m2 of outdoor amenity spaces would be housed in the podium levels, with indoor spaces on three levels and an outdoor podium-top amenity area including an outdoor pool.

Three of the development's six parking levels would also be housed within the podium, while the remaining three would be located below grade. In total, 201 parking spaces are proposed, with 188 reserved for residents of the development. Eight spots would be provided for car-sharing, while an additional 5 spots would be reserved for visitors. 632 bicycle parking spaces are also proposed, located on the B1 Mezzanine level and the 5th floor of the podium.

We will return with updates as new details about the development are revealed. In the meantime, additional information can be found in the project's dataBase file, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum threads, or leave a comment using the space provided at the bottom of this page.

EDIT:An earlier version of this story linked the numbered Ontario company to various developers who are not connected with this proposal.